Instructional Materials Update – EMAT Target Start Date August 8th

Recent legislation passed by the 82^nd Texas Legislature has introduced an Instructional Materials Allotment (IMA) under SB 6 (82^nd Special Session) for the purchase of instructional materials, technological equipment and technology-related services. Districts will no longer use an enrollment eligibility system but will now use an allotment system.  Districts must now begin preparation which includes immediate and long term consideration of instructional needs as well as the fiscal impact of the instructional materials purchases as district allotments will be reduced by expenditures.

 There are three levels to the process:

• Level 1 – Preparation for districts – begins now with discussions in the districts and by attending training dates listed below.
• Level 2 – Requisitions – Starts August 8^th – this is similar to the process districts have utilized before and can be used for State Board of Education (SBOE) or Commissioner approved list as well as supplemental and open source materials.
• Level 3 – Disbursements of funds – this is a new process and is required for purchasing materials that are not on the adopted list or for technical equipment.

Priority consideration should be given to Proclamation 2011 and continuing contracts. 

Key Dates:

• July 18 (week of) – Letter to administrators
• July 22 – EMAT programming complete
• August 1 – Allotment amount will be determined
• August 1-3 – Training for textbook coordinator (will cover both requisitions and disbursements)
• August 8 (target) – EMAT Opens

Although delivery time of some instructional materials may take 4-6 weeks for delivery; some publishers already have Proclamation 2011 books ready for delivery.